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FITNESS MYTHS DEBUNKED

How workout-smart are you when it comes to nutrition? Sridhar Varadaraj - Founder & Managing Partner – Zago (RiccoDelizio) sheds some light on misconceptions surrounding fitness and nutrition.

In recent years, Bangalore has seen a massive rise in the number of people trying out new and exciting workout forms. Crossfit, Functional Training, Zumba, Aerial Yoga, Pilates, MMA and kickboxing have taken the city by storm, and how! You walk down the road at any point of the day and you’ll find someone dressed in workout wear, ready to work it.

But as more and more people are taking to fitness, it’s becoming increasingly important to debunk certain counter-productive myths. Can you imagine not seeing the rewards of yourworkouts only because you’ve been taking the wrong advice or not nourishing your body well? To get the most out of your hard work, you need to gather the right information before you hit the ground running. And we’re here to help you do just that.

MYTH 1PROTEINS ARE JUST FOR PROS

Proteins are for everyone! Proteins not only help to repair internal or external damage, they also support the immune system and contribute to an overall feeling of wellbeing. In fact, the average human body needs a daily fix on 1.4 grams of protein for every kilogram of its weight.

If you’re exercising, or even just have an active action-packed lifestyle, the best nutrients to consume after a workout or excess activity, is a mix of carbohydrates and protein. The ratio of carbohydrates to protein should be 3:1 or 4:1 (carbohydrates: protein). This combination of carbohydrates to protein helps the body resynthesise muscle glycogen more efficiently than carbohydrates alone.

MYTH 2ENDURANCE ATHLETES DON’T REQUIRE PROTEIN DRINKSNutrition is undoubtedly the most important part of an athlete’s life along with training. But alot of endurance athletes tend to focus on carbohydrate intake and pay little to no attention to protein. We have similar protein requirements as bodybuilders, but the way in which our bodies use the protein differs. We require protein to repair existing muscle tissue that isundergoing constant wear and tear from day–to–day training.

MYTH 3PROTEINS GIVE WOMEN MANLY MUSCLESThe way your muscles develop are a function of your female hormones. Proteins can never make a woman look manly, but will strengthen your body in countless ways.

MYTH 4NONVEGETARIANS GET ENOUGH PROTEIN9/10 Indians are protein deficient. Women need to consume at least 1 gram per kilogram of your bodyweight in protein for your body to function at its full strength.

MYTH 5IT’S NECESSARY TO CARBO-LOAD THE NIGHT BEFORE A RACECarbo-loading the night before a race is a big myth. If you’re going to carbo-load, you really should be doing it throughout your training. “When I go to marathon expos, I’m amazed how many people haven’t carbo-loaded properly. Runners train so hard and then arrive with a huge handicap. Proper carbo-loading - or filling your muscles to the brim with glycogen - won’t make you faster, but it will allow you to run your best.” adds Sridhar.

Now that we’ve debunked the myths, let’s talk about the nutrition we need to keep our workouts working for us. We all need post-workout proteins, but protein powders come withthe tedious process of mixing and measuring. Zago has a range of healthy, ready-to-drink health drinks that are perfect for urbanites who are fitness conscious. Get out and get fit!

“As a mountaineer, ultramarathoner and triathlete myself, I have learnt it the hard way onhow important nutrition is to get the most of your training and to perform your best in the race. Even if you are not an athlete, and your goal is general fitness, just exercising without proper nutrition is counterproductive. As a fitness conscious person, I was hard-pressed to find healthy products in the market that were delicious enough to consume on a daily basis. That was how Zago was born. Zago is healthy on-the-go nutrition for the modern urbanite whether it’s after work out or when your stomach can’t wait for the next meal.”